The U.S. is known to have a comprehensive criminal justice information system. All the information will be input into the database computerized in a central database known as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). CHRI is part of that system.
In definition, CHRI is all the information about an individual as far as their interaction with states law enforcement instrument is concerned.
Such information is collected via fingerprint cards and automatically saved in a central electronic system.
This article will discuss what data the Criminal History Record Information Transactions contain and what information can and cannot be accessed through it.
What Data Contains CHRI Within The NCIC System?
CHRI is generally all information related to a person’s criminal history documented by law enforcement tools. When a person or entity commits a crime, and the crime is found committed, there is a follow-up by law officers.
Data containing Criminal History Record Information Transactions overview all detentions, convictions, verdicts, parole offenses, acquittals, etc.
Types Of Files In NCIC
The national criminal information center is a national system of computers that help law officers input and share information about criminal offenders.
Other users include U.S. immigration and customs, enforcement for immigration violations, and state agencies for drunken driving and domestic violence.
1. NCIC Personal Files
The NCIC database contains a total of 14 files under it. However, 10 are the most active ones this far. They include:
Sex Offender Registry
This website is run by the FBI, allowing citizens of the U.S. and its territories to identify known sex offenders and achieved by the database that collects information from all the states and territories on convicted sex offenders.
You can search for individuals suspected of a sex offense on the website by filling a form and clicking search.
Missing Person
The NamUS is a database within NCIC that collects information on missing and unidentified persons. In such cases, families of the missing person volunteer information to help the case.
In children and young adults under 21, the case is referred to a nonprofit organization known as National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Wanted Persons
This is a file dedicated to people who have arrest warrants and will be arrested. It is also for minors who have committed an act of delinquency and are yet to be apprehended.
In some cases, the NCMEC can be involved. In cases of minors. Such minors with offenses are considered persons of interest in a wanted person case.
Foreign Fugitive File
This is a file that involves information on international wanted persons. It’s fed in data from INTERPOL and RMCP. The persons wanted in other countries for offenses committed within the U.S.
In such cases, the country claims extradition of an individual or individuals must have signed an extradition treaty—the exception of if the fugitive is wanted for a violent crime or is violent and armed.
Gang File
This file contains information about gangs and individuals known to be in gangs. Countries are encouraged to share information of such persona to help law enforcement be vigilant.
As far as a definition of a gang is concerned, a gang is a group of three or more individuals who have criminal activity linked to them.
However, the agencies sharing such information must have sufficient evidence to support the claim. They must prove the person is in the gang either by documentation or by the interested person’s admittance.
Terrorist File
As the name suggests, this file is for known or suspected terrorists. It does not mean that every individual or group found in this file has committed a terror attack.
In some cases, they have been found guilty of planning or facilitating acts of terror against the U.S.
It is a file managed by the FBI, and only they can update the information on such individuals. The file can also include members arrested by the military and have committed suspected of carrying out terror attacks.
Immigration Violator File
The immigration violator file contains information about individuals with illegal aliens known for criminal activities. The individuals could be drug traffickers, violent gangs, and so on.
It also includes those working in U.S. territory without proper documentation or expired documents.
In addition to those who are yet to comply with stated security regulations. Only homeland security is mandated to update this file.
Identity Theft File
If you are a victim of identity theft, then this is the file for you. This file contains a list of all victims of identity theft.
They volunteer information if they suspect someone of stealing their identity. In such cases, the authorities involved will have to determine who committed the theft or if the case is confirmed.
Violent Person File
a violent person file issued to persons known to be violent. They have been violent to an officer of the law or have made threats against law enforcers and authority in general. They also include those who have been violent to individuals especially using arms.
This file warns law enforcers of potential violence from the person they handle. Law enforcement has the mandate to update this file.
2. NCIC Property File
These are files that fall under vehicles and land. In such cases, there may be identifying numbers such as Personal Identifiable Information (PII) found on vehicle plate numbers.
Gun File
This file contains all the information about missing or stolen guns or firearms. They usually contain information on the type of gun, serial number, caliber, and model.
Persons must have used the guns for a crime. The only authority to enter information in this file is criminal justice enforcement.
Vehicle File
This is a file containing info nation about vehicles in the following situations; stolen vehicles, missing vehicles involved in criminal activity, or vehicles in the hands of authorities according to a court order.
The file will contain info nation that pertains to the vehicle. These include plate number, make, color, applied number, serial number, etc. Only the law enforcement agency has the right to fill this file.
Article File
This file contains all the information about items valued over $500, property over $5000, any stolen property.
It can be proven to show ownership movement between States, state property, or any property theft that is grievous enough to warrant a record.
Identifying such articles includes make, color, brand, owner applied number (in some cases), etc. The criminal justice authorities can update this file.
Securities File
Securities are considered a form of assets. That is used to make financial transactions and therefore considered valuable. This file takes more of securities used in fraudulent activities such as ransom, embezzlement, or looted securities.
License Plate File
This file is primarily for stolen vehicles. It contains details of a stolen vehicle, plate number, the date the plate was issued, the state in which the vehicle was stolen, and so on. Only the criminal justice laws enforcement can update this file.
Other File Information On NCIC
Other files under NCIC include the retired files, which are not active. Generally, all files under the files named above have either been dealt with or completed.
NCIC also contains files on individuals who are still under continuous assessment. This file is in table form and contains information about the persons of interest.
They have provided information for immigration objectives and need further assessment to determine a conclusive one.
These files make it easy for authorities to keep up with new cases and ongoing ones.
Hot Files
There is a section of the data known as hot files in the NCIC. These are files containing information related to missing persons and stolen property and vehicles.
It is important to note that the originating agencies enter information. That is, agencies that received the missing person or theft report. The preciseness and validity of these reports will depend on these agencies.
Does NCIC Show All Arrests?
As stated before, all the information found on the NCIC is a collection of information fed to it by law enforcement agencies. Whatever arrests made must be submitted by individual state agencies into the system.
Any information fed into the NCIC system directly has been from arrests made by federal agents.
In instances of arrest warrants, in any case in the NCIC system that requires an arrest, the NCIC issues a warrant.
DNA and NCIC
The Federation Bureau of Investigation (FBI) runs a combined DNA Index System (CODIS). CODIS is a system that matches DNA to existing profiles.
Conclusion
NCIS is a system that contains a lot of information about the criminal system in the United States. Most of this data falls under CHRI.
Information provided in this article can give a glimpse of what the system deals with and what data you can find within it. The files are primarily records shared by different states about criminal proceedings.
However, you can find more information on their official website. We hope this article gives you the start you need.
